The Advanced Acoustics Subway Acoustic Studio Foam Tile is a 55mm open-cell polyurethane acoustic foam tile in a precision-cut rectangular subway format, measuring 305 × 152mm with a bevel cut on all four sides. The tile achieves NRC 0.85 (Sound Absorption Class C), providing effective broadband absorption across the mid and high frequency range — the frequencies most responsible for flutter echo, comb filtering, and reverberation in recording and listening environments. Each pack contains 24 tiles, covering 1.11m² (12ft²) of wall or ceiling surface.
The subway format — 305mm long by 152mm wide, with a bevel cut on all four sides — allows the tiles to be arranged in multiple layout patterns including herringbone, brick-bond, ashlar, monolithic, and parquet. The rectangular 2:1 aspect ratio provides more layout flexibility than square tiles of equivalent area, and the bevel cut creates a defined joint line between tiles giving the installation a finished, intentional appearance. Available in Mid Grey and Dark Grey. Manufactured in the UK.
Applications
Recording studios and control rooms — flutter echo and reverberation control. Flutter echo between parallel reflective surfaces is the primary acoustic problem in untreated recording and control room environments. The 55mm Subway tile at NRC 0.85 provides effective broadband absorption across the mid and high frequency range, reducing flutter echo and shortening reverberation time to levels appropriate for critical listening and recording. Install on the primary reflection points — side walls, rear wall, and ceiling — to achieve even absorption coverage throughout the room. Use the Coverage Calculator tab to determine the number of packs required for your room dimensions and type.
Home studios and podcast recording spaces. In smaller rooms, untreated parallel surfaces create a reverberant, coloured sound that is picked up by microphones alongside the source signal, reducing recording clarity and requiring additional post-processing to correct. The 55mm Subway tile provides sufficient absorption depth to control mid and high frequency reverberation in typical home studio dimensions. The subway format and grey colourways suit home studio environments where a clean, contemporary aesthetic is preferred over standard wedge or pyramid foam profiles.
Vocal booths and isolation rooms. Vocal booths require effective high-frequency absorption to prevent the tight, boxy sound caused by excessive reflections in a small enclosed space. The Subway tile provides effective absorption at the frequencies most critical for vocal recording — 1kHz and above, where absorption reaches 0.98 at 1kHz, 1.02 at 2kHz, and 1.08 at 4kHz — reducing the coloration introduced by room reflections and producing a cleaner, drier vocal capture. The bevelled subway format provides a more refined finish than standard wedge or pyramid foam in a vocal booth environment.
Mixing and mastering rooms — critical listening environments. Accurate monitoring in a mixing or mastering environment requires a controlled acoustic environment with consistent, predictable reverberation characteristics. The 55mm Subway tile provides effective broadband absorption to reduce the influence of room reflections on the monitoring position, improving the accuracy of the listening environment.
Rehearsal rooms and live rooms. Rehearsal rooms and live recording rooms benefit from controlled reverberation to reduce the build-up of reflected sound energy that makes it difficult for musicians to hear each other clearly. The 55mm Subway tile provides effective absorption at the frequencies most responsible for this build-up, reducing reverberation time and improving the acoustic environment for performance and rehearsal. The subway format allows tiles to be arranged in visually coherent patterns across large wall areas.
Product Benefits
NRC 0.85 / Sound Absorption Class C — effective broadband absorption. The 55mm polyurethane foam core achieves NRC 0.85 (Class C), with strong absorption from 500Hz upward: 0.94 at 500Hz, 0.98 at 1000Hz, 1.02 at 2000Hz, and 1.08 at 4000Hz. Low-frequency absorption is 0.45 at 250Hz — appropriate for controlling mid and high frequency reverberation in studio environments. The 55mm depth provides greater low-frequency absorption than thinner 25–38mm foam profiles.
Subway format with bevel cut — multiple layout options. The 305 × 152mm subway format with bevel cut on all four sides allows the tiles to be arranged in herringbone, brick-bond, ashlar, monolithic, and parquet patterns. The bevel cut creates a defined joint line between tiles, giving the installation a finished, intentional appearance rather than the abutted-edge look of standard square foam tiles. The 2:1 aspect ratio provides more layout flexibility than square tiles of equivalent area.
High-density polyurethane foam — 30kg/m³, fire rated. The foam core is manufactured at 30kg/m³ density, providing greater structural integrity and longer service life than lower-density acoustic foam. Higher density foam maintains its shape and acoustic performance over time without the compression and degradation that affects lower-density products. The foam meets Crib 5 and Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Furnishings and Furniture (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989).
Two colourways — Mid Grey and Dark Grey. Available in Mid Grey and Dark Grey to suit different studio interior schemes. Both colourways are available from stock and shipped uncompressed to maintain tile integrity in transit.
24 tiles per pack — 1.11m² coverage. Each pack contains 24 tiles at 305 × 152mm, providing 1.11m² (12ft²) of coverage. Use the Coverage Calculator tab to determine the number of packs required for your room dimensions and room type before ordering.
Made in the UK — shipped uncompressed. All Subway tile packs are manufactured in the Advanced Acoustics UK facility and shipped uncompressed, ensuring tiles arrive in full-dimension condition ready for installation.
Installation
Plan the tile layout before beginning installation. Sketch the intended pattern on paper — herringbone, brick-bond, ashlar, monolithic, or parquet — and mark the layout on the wall or ceiling surface using pencil, masking tape, or a laser level. Distribute tiles evenly across the treatment area rather than concentrating them in a single large cluster; even distribution provides more consistent absorption coverage across the room.
Apply Advanced Acoustics Contact Adhesive to both the back of the tile and the mounting surface. Apply a band of adhesive around the perimeter of the tile and 50–75% coverage of the remaining surface area; repeat the equivalent coverage on the wall. Allow the adhesive to become touch-dry before bringing the surfaces together — contact adhesive bonds on contact, so position the tile carefully before pressing it to the wall. Avoid overspray onto the tile face or surrounding wall surface; use masking tape on the wall to protect adjacent areas. If adhesive webbing contacts the tile face, allow it to dry fully before attempting to remove it — in most cases it can be peeled away cleanly once dry.
The adhesive is solvent-based. Ensure adequate ventilation throughout the installation — keep doors and windows open.
For a temporary or demountable installation, mount tiles onto 6mm MDF or plywood sheet to create panels, then hang the panels using D-rings and picture hooks. For ceiling-mounted panels, use four mirror plates per panel. This approach allows panels to be removed and repositioned without damage to the wall or ceiling surface.
The Technical Details
| Product Name | Subway Acoustic Tile Pack |
| Product Size | 12" x 6" x 2 1/4" (305mm x 152mm x 55mm) |
| Tiles Per Pack | 24 |
| Area Covered Per Pack | 12sqft (1.11sqm) |
| Sound Absorption Class | C |
| Noise Reduction Coefficient | 0.85 |
| Absorption at 250Hz | 0.45 |
| Absorption at 500Hz | 0.94 |
| Absorption at 1000Hz | 0.98 |
| Absorption at 2000Hz | 1.02 |
| Absorption at 4000Hz | 1.08 |
| Product Colour | Mid Grey or Dark Grey |
| Product Weight | 2.4kg |
| Fire Classification | Crib 5 and Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Furnishings and Furniture (fire)(safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989) |
| Acoustic Foam Density | 30kg/m3 |
